Hi All,

Do you apply a wash before or after the decals????
Also, what type of wash would you recommend for a Sherman, its OD in color.
Never really did a wash before. Thanks in advance.

Hi,

Generally, wash after decals. Consider the reason for the wash: to bring out detail and/or simulate weathering--both you want on the decal, too.

OD is generally a dark color. I'd suggest black or a dark brown. However, read Weathering Heresies, which touches upon going against the conventional wisdom of weathering--dust and dirt will collect in the weld lines and other low points of a vehicle. Since dirt is usually lighter than OD, you ought to wash OD vehicles with a light earth-color. I can show you some color photos of WWII US AFVs to demonstrate.

Another good article: Washing & Drybrushing Armor

And for weathering: Wash Techniques

I normally perform the wash AFTER the decals are placed on. Weathering occurs to all parts of the vehicle in real life scenarios so it makes sense to mimic nature that way.

If a kit is in OD or NATO camo, the wash would show up better in black. I'd use artist oils mixed with turps and apply after a coat of clear gloss is placed on.

Good luck!

And here they are:






Source: NARA

JPTRR- I dont know if this could be duplicated by a wash or just dumping a bottle of MIG pigment on the model. There are a number of techniques that can be used for weathering PLASTECH. My advise would be to experiment and see what gives you the best result. As far as decals always weather over them as they are on the actual vehicle before it was "mudded/dusted" up. Have fun and please post pics of your sherman...love shermans... must have more shermans ...OOPS Sorry!!

Thanks for all the help guys. Sorry to say even with all your help its still a struggle for me to produce a great looking model. I come close but it seems that if its a good build I have a problem with painting and finishing. If its a fair build I get a good finish job. Anybody else seem to have this problem??????

Hi India11A,

True, and you can mix the MiG pig. with a liquid vehicle, too. But you can also do it with a wash. See my article and photos: water-oil & Future and Guache & windshield cleaner Note that the water soluble oil and Future covers but runs off of raised areas (like the rivets on the Lee), and the guache in windshield fluid dries with a 'crackled vibrated dust' look.